GE Ecomagination has teamed up with the fuseproject design studio to create the WattStation, a next-generation electric vehicle charging station. Shunning the model of the traditional gas station, the team set out to make the Wattstation fit in to the urban environment like a piece of greenery.

The device can also can fully charge an electric car in a mere 4-8 hours instead of the typical 12-18.

fuseproject explains more:

fuseproject’s vision for the WattStation is an electric-car-charger design that is as durable as street furniture, as visible as a light beacon, and as beautiful as street greenery.

The WattStation design needed to break all paradigms of the typical large scale, angular and brash “gas pump”. To achieve our goal, a new soft and distinctive friendly icon is expressed through a cylindrical body that flares toward the top and becomes the circular interface. The UI screen faces the user at a “service angle” for optimized ergonomic comfort, and it’s surround lens houses a useful and informational graphic interface. The LED light ring indicates to the driver whether the WattStation is available (white), fully charged (green), charging (red), or out of order (yellow).

The WattStation comes imbedded with GE’s Smart Grid technology which enables the station to charge a vehicle in 4-8 hours compared to the typical 12-18. By communicating wirelessly with digital platforms and mobile devices, users will be able to remotely locate, operate and monitor the unit. The WattStation is also the very first charging station with a self-retractable charging cable, keeping streets tidy while protecting the cable from weather elements. All of these innovations are jammed tight into a compact metal shell, which is solidly constructed to withstand any harsh weather and usage conditions. It even has a built-in heater to defrost the snow!

The Watt Station will be planted all over the US, as well as Europe and Asia, it will promote the deployment of renewable energy for electric vehicles worldwide.